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Invisible blood in urine may be an early warning sign of bladder cancer, according to a new study. 

Researchers found that one in 60 people over the age of 60 having invisible blood in their urine transpired to have bladder cancer.

The figure was around half those who had visible blood in their urine - the best known indicator of bladder cancer. However, it was still higher than figures for other potential symptoms of bladder cancer that warrant further investigation, the press release added.

"It is well known that if you see blood in your urine you should contact your GP, who is likely to refer you for tests. But there is no clear guidance for GPs on what to do if they detect blood that is not visible during routine tests. We are hopeful that our findings will now lead to robust guidance that it warrants further investigation. Early diagnosis is crucial to have the best chance of successfully treating bladder cancer. The three-quarters of patients who are diagnosed early have much better outcomes than those whose disease is diagnosed late. Anything we can do to boost early detection is crucial to help save lives," said lead author Sarah Price, a PhD student at the University of Exeter Medical School, in the press release.

Every year around 10,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with bladder cancer and the condition is more common in men than women and in older people. Smoking is one of the main causes. 

The study has been published in the British Journal of General Practice.